Gift keeps firm grip on stayers’ crown

IRIS’S GIFT confirmed his position as this season’s champion staying hurdler with an impressive win in the Martell Cognac Laurel Pub Company Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree yesterday.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained runner followed up his Cheltenham victory over Baracouda with another battling performance to see off the challenge of Royal Rosa.

Barry Geraghty always had the striking grey in the front rank, settling his mount in second on the outside as the enigmatic Deano's Beeno jumped off as a very reluctant pacemaker.